In this episode, host Victoria Lauture Duncker interviews her guest Tanji Garcia about her journey to motherhood at the age of 40. They discuss the pressure and expectations of having kids in their 20s and how it influenced their relationships. Tanji opens up about the challenges of infertility and the emotional journey of fertility treatments.

They touch on topics such as the first night with a newborn, struggles with breastfeeding, and the recognition and healing of postpartum depression and the impact of social media on the perception of motherhood.

Overall, they encourage open conversations about postpartum experiences and the need for self-compassion and understanding.

Takeaways
The pressure and expectations of having children in your 20s can influence relationship decisions and create feelings of disappointment.
Personal challenges and experiences shape our expectations of marriage and family life.
Infertility and fertility treatments can be emotionally challenging, but they can also lead to the joy of having a baby.
Age should not define our ability to be good parents or experience the joys of motherhood. Motherhood is challenging and requires support and self-care.
Breastfeeding struggles are common, and it's important to seek help and not feel guilty.
Postpartum depression is a real and valid experience that should be recognized and addressed.
Balancing motherhood and personal identity is a journey that requires self-reflection and self-compassion.
Social media can create unrealistic expectations and it's important to prioritize mental health over comparison.

Chapters
00:00
Introduction
01:06
Long-Time Friendship and Working Together
02:03
Family Background and Cultural Differences
03:04
Influence of Parent's Marriage
03:47
Influence of Family Life on Partner and Marriage Expectations
06:08
Pressure and Expectations of Having Kids in 20s
07:46
Learning to Work Through Relationship Problems
09:11
Dealing with Disappointment and Stigma of Having Kids Later in Life
09:43
Navigating Life as a Single Person
10:40
Overcoming Personal Challenges and Learning Interpersonal Communication
12:44
Desire for Warmth and Family Dynamics
13:56
Perceptions of Age and Motherhood
15:25
Challenges and Timing of Starting a Family
16:28
Rekindling the Relationship and Proposal
19:23
Struggles with Infertility and Fertility Treatments
26:35
Joy of Having a Baby Through IVF
36:58
The Reality of Motherhood
37:50
The First Night with a Newborn
38:50
Lack of Support
39:23
Challenges of Being an Older Mom
40:20
The Importance of a Support System
41:50
Struggles with Breastfeeding
43:32
Recognizing Postpartum Depression
47:21
Journey of Healing from Postpartum Depression
52:00
Balancing Motherhood and Personal Identity
55:53
Letting Go of the Past
57:18
The Pressure to Be Perfect
58:11
The Importance of Self-Care
01:01:00
The Impact of Social Media
01:06:18
The Need for Open Conversations about Postpartum

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